Johanna Walsh secures Irish Oaks victory for Joseph O'Brien at the Curragh
Joseph O'Brien's Johanna Walsh delivered a commanding four-length victory in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks, securing a prestigious Classic win for the trainer despite the late withdrawal of stablemate Thundering On.
Johanna Walsh delivered a commanding four-length victory in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday. Ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle and trained by Joseph O’Brien, the filly secured the prestigious Classic title despite the late morning withdrawal of highly fancied stablemate Thundering On.
Starting as a well-backed 7-2 favourite, Johanna Walsh tracked the Ballydoyle pacemakers before opening up a decisive lead from two furlongs out. David Menuisier’s Inis Mor, third in the French Oaks, finished second, with Sparan Nua in third and O’Brien’s unbeaten Rebel Moon taking fourth.
The victory marks a significant achievement for O’Brien, who had aimed for an Oaks double following Thundering On’s Epsom success last month. Although Thundering On was withdrawn after recently finishing second to Estrange in the Pretty Polly Stakes, O’Brien remains optimistic about her autumn return.
"It is really special to win a Classic here in Ireland," O’Brien stated. He praised McMonagle’s ride, noting the jockey "controlled the whole race and had a very willing partner" on the fast ground, and indicated the winner will now be freshened up for an autumn campaign.
McMonagle described the filly’s acceleration as "unreal", noting she "put the race to bed in a couple of strides". He suggested that while Rebel Moon may offer more improvement later in the year, Johanna Walsh was "cherry-ripe for the day".
O’Callaghan and Crisford secure Curragh successes
Earlier in the card, Michael O’Callaghan’s Celeron bounced back from a disappointing Royal Ascot outing to win the GAIN Railway Stakes. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, the juvenile overcame a hot mid-race pace to win by three lengths over Tribeca, leaving Aidan O’Brien’s favourite Confucius in third.
O’Callaghan highlighted Murphy’s skill, stating "any day you can get Oisin is a bonus". He noted that six furlongs appears to be the horse’s minimum trip, with plans to step Celeron up to seven furlongs and potentially a mile by next May.
In the Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Sapphire Stakes, Cover Up led a British one-two-three-four finish. The six-year-old, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and ridden by James Doyle, rallied late to win by three-quarters of a length from Dave Loughnane’s Partisan Hero.
Ed Crisford expressed relief that the horse handled the dry track, having previously shown a preference for softer ground. He confirmed Cover Up will now return to Group One company at York’s Nunthorpe Stakes next month, with a potential return to the Curragh for the Flying Five thereafter.
